Here and There

At the meeting of the nation’s governors today, Joe Biden spoke approvingly, lovingly, of rail. He compared what U.S. viewers may have seen in China this summer as they watched the Olympics to what we desperately need here. He spoke of how we need rail for environmental and efficiency reasons. He spoke. Did anyone listen?

Yglesias did. He and I will continue to sound the horn on rail, with a soft spot for high-speed rail, until it becomes a reality.

Thx:: Yglesias

While we on the left got the politics and dangers of Sarah Palin dead right, we missed what now seems obvious: John McCain’s political gamble is proving effective, as the forces of ignorance and denial of reality are shaping up to make a McCain-Palin ticket more than viable.

Yes, I’m calling anyone who would sign on to such a reckless political ticket ignorant. It’s ignorance in the truest sense of the word. They’re ignoring the truth of what’s happened to this country (oddly, in part, by suddenly embracing the “change” mantra, but more on that later); by ignoring the fact that not only their views of the world, but this party’s and this ticket’s tactics, are a large part of what dug us into this hole; and their refusal to admit that that politics is broken and needs replacing.

From a historical viewpoint, the wondrous occasion of the nomination of the first black person to a major-party ticket may be overcome by the same cynical forces that brought us the most calamitous era in modern American history. I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that the Obama-Biden ticket, and the change of direction such a ticket represents, is the last, best hope for this damaged-brand of a nation. That, and if “we” elect John McCain instead, it will serve as the opposite of triage, accelerating the dying cycle of this once-great nation.

This from Olivia, who made the Daily Kos recommended diary list.

Go get ‘em, Joe:

Thx: Josh Marshall

He recycled many lines from Saturday. You could even say he “plagiarized” himself. Heh.

All in all, not a bad speech. I still love the guy, and want him to be my VP. But his speech at the convention lacked the chutzpah we need. Thank god Bill Clinton and John Kerry were there tonight to carry the torch.

Here t’is:

From James L. at Swing State Project.

My favorite Biden line: “There’s just somethin’ about this guy …”

Okay, here’s what happens when Obama and Biden clean house in November:

Delaware’s Democratic governor, Ruth Ann Miner, appoints a Dem to fill out the remaining time until a special election is called to replace him. Delaware hasn’t elected a Republican senator or governor (the two statewide-elected positions) since 1994 (the last Republican governor was elected in 1988).

On the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Biden chairs, Chris Dodd slides easily into the chairman’s chair. Biden also sits on the Judiciary Committee, where he’ll be missed, but I assume easily replaced.

So there’s not a lot of harm, or foul, in taking Biden out of his seat. Perhaps that played a part in Obama’s decision, perhaps not.

On the Biden-Gelb plan to partition Iraq. 8.23.06 (exactly two years ago!!!)

On a denial that Iraq was/is in a state of civil war. 11.24.06

From when I thought Biden, among others, should’ve dropped out. 6.25.07

And lastly, I linked to an NYT blog about no one taking Biden’s run seriously (seems especially appropriate now). 12.26.07

And just like that, the leaks are on the homepage of all the major news outlets.

I’m honestly happy with the choice of Joe Biden as running mate, but am kinda let down by my lack of text message. I kinda hope it never comes, because it will be sooooooo after the fact.

Anyway, I’m glad we know. Now I can sleep.

But I have a strong feeling it’ll be Joe Biden. That is all.

If this were that kind of blog, I’d now call this an open thread.

I know I’m not breaking any intellectual ground here, but it did just occur to me what the big deal is, or at least stems from: It’s really the first choice they make after having been de facto anointed their party’s candidate.

In that sense, I feel absolved of the guilt of having horse-raced this whole thing.

And I hate to lock onto a figure so presumptuously, but if it’s truly down to Biden, Bayh, and Kaine, let’s get the show on the road.

Okay, wait, as someone who’s worked in news the last few years, announcing on a Tuesday is a pretty dismal idea. Never mind.

Go back to living your life now, please.

Be”drudge”ingly, I have to give him credit.

The New York Times is now reporting that Obama’s VP list is down to three names: Bayh, Biden, Kaine.

If true, sign me up for Biden, without a doubt. Second choice: Kaine. No way ever on Bayh. I’d almost rather have Hillary.

Yglesias points out the senator’s support of high-speed rail, which just won him a place in my heart.

Wow, what a difference a weekend makes.

All the VP buzz I’m seeing is about Joe Biden, Mr. “I’ve been deployed to Georgia by the sitting president.”

I like the idea of Biden’s pugnaciousness in the debates, and his foreign and domestic résumés bode well for progressives. His name sounds good attached to Obama’s (Obama-Biden).

I’m just trying to anticipate the ways in which stand-for-nothing GOPers will try to tear him down.